(Learn more about my trainings and workshops.)
The journey to finding a therapist who feels like the right fit for yourself or your child, can often be a long and difficult road. Many individuals, including myself, have had experiences where they just did not feel heard or understood in the therapy room. Reaching out for therapy is challenging, and it can be painful when that experience does not go as expected. It is brave to search for the right support for yourself or a loved one.
A Passion for Providing Affirming Therapy
As an identity – focused, affirming therapist, I understand the importance of feeling safe expressing all parts of yourself in the therapy room. A therapeutic space should empower you to unmask and be your truest self! You might
- Take your shoes off
- Move freely around the room
- Fidget
- Look out the window while we talk
- Create art
- Even dance, if you feel inspired to do so!
Because in psychotherapy it is important that you feel comfortable sharing intimate pieces of your identity, I feel it’s important to share about my identity. My name is Jessica Pizzo, LCSW, PMH-C. I am a White, pansexual, cisgender, neurodivergent woman of Italian descent. Additionally, I am a mother, and birth trauma survivor.
I am passionate about supporting individuals in creating therapy goals that are in alignment with their unique values and preferences.
When therapy goals are in alignment with values and identity, individuals can reclaim their lives in a way that feels meaningful to them.
This will look different for everyone.
Providing affirming therapy means a commitment to anti-racism, celebration of all neurotypes, and an LGBTQIA+ inclusive sex positive approach. I love art, music, and movement, and bring a creative approach to assisting my clients in finding new coping strategies. This can range from dance parties, to poetry as forms of expression. All of your emotions and experiences are welcome here, without judgment. As you accomplish your goals, we will celebrate. There is healing power in fun, laughter, and radical self-love, no matter what age you are.
A Passion for Helping your Child Overcome Hurt
Trauma can be anything that threatens the sense of security and safety your child has in their world. Bullying, witnessing violence, an unexpected medical issue, the loss of a loved one, or a sexual assault are all experiences that can unsettle a child’s stability.
If something scary has happened to your child, you may be struggling with how to help them cope with all of the new and overwhelming feelings bubbling up. Maybe you’re struggling to help them talk about it but they just don’t know how.
You may notice your child complaining of stomach aches, having trouble concentrating in school, acting out at home, isolating themselves, or having trouble sleeping at night.
We will work together to help your child share their story through words, art, and play.
Skills are developed to manage big feelings like anxiety, anger, or sadness in a way that feels fun and collaborative. For some kids, butterfly breaths (deep breathing with slow, soft tapping) can be a welcomed strategy for release. For others, it may be the last thing that they want to do in a stressful moment.
When working with your child, we explore their passions and interests, and get creative in identifying coping strategies that connect to their passions. This could be engaging in Pokemon inspired movement videos in session. Or maybe a Taylor Swift dance party where we speak aloud powerful affirmations – I am strong! I am kind! I am brave! It’s all about getting your child excited about therapy and using their coping skills. Indeed, mindfulness skills can be best embraced through exploring your child’s favorite video game. Going into Roblox in your imagination is quite fun. When it is done with a focus on the senses, it can be a powerful coping strategy!
We work together to move you and your child moving beyond the scary and troubling experience to empowerment, communication and emotion regulation.
A Passion for Supporting Moms with the Transition to Motherhood
As a mother myself, I understand your sleepless nights, new anxieties and worries for your little one. Becoming a new mother can be an isolating experience, but you are not alone! According to most research, “approximately 10 to 15 percent of women experience some sort of postpartum mood disorder including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, or psychosis.” At a time when you thought you would be embracing your vision of motherhood, you may find yourself crippled by waves of anxiety and sadness.
In the midst of motherhood you may also be struggling with a birth experience that did not go as expected. It may have been anything from an expected vaginal delivery that turned cesarean to a near death experience which continues to cause physical and emotional pain. This emotional pain does not have to last forever.
From someone who understands, you do not have to suffer in silence and you can get better.
I assist mothers in managing the mental load of motherhood, improving communication with their partners surrounding parenting, and identifying triggers of anxiety and sadness. As we work together, you develop skills to make these overwhelming emotions easier to manage on a day to day basis. This way you can be liberated to care for your child in the way that you envisioned.
Furthermore, the challenges of motherhood continue as your child grows. There were some truths in toddlerhood that I’ve had to name and become comfortable with.
- Being triggered at this time is normal, and expected.
- You have an inner wisdom that must be nurtured, so you can trust your gut and blossom.
- Self care is vital.
- A shared community of mothers can be energizing.
I spoke with Insider Magazine about “5 Things Every Mom of a Toddler Should Know” to not just survive, but to thrive through the toddler years.
A Passion for Providing Sex-Positive Therapy
There are many different life events that can impact an individual’s relationship to their sexuality. These can include
- A traumatic birthing experience
- Gender affirming surgery
- A history of sexual abuse or sexual assault
- And many more
For many individuals, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ or kink communities, sexuality is a vital part of identity. Therapy with a sex-positive therapist is a safe space to explore your sexual interests and needs, and learn skills to further emotional safety and affirmation in your sexual practices. I work with my adult clients to identify their unique sexual values and preferences, and reconnect to their bodies. This journey is different for all. It is led by the client with respect to their comfort level and cultural or religious background. For some it may look like learning the skills to explore their erogenous zones after body changes like birth, significant weight loss or gain, or surgery. For others, it may be learning the skills of mindful masturbation and how to communicate sexual needs to a partner effectively. Some clients are interested in learning more about how they can utilize BDSM and kink to further their healing journeys and connection to a partner/s.
A Passion for Supporting Adult Cycle Breakers in Finding Radical Self-Love & Acceptance
Cycle breakers are brave. Many adults find themselves struggling as they reflect on the impact of their childhood trauma into adulthood. They don’t want to repeat the toxic cycles they have identified in their family of origin. This can be brought on by multiple factors including
- Attempting to navigate setting boundaries with family
- Struggles with negotiating relationships
- Parenting struggles
- Financial stressors
- The stress of cultural expectations within your family of origin
As cycle breakers, it is important to explore the unique culture of your family of origin and life experiences, to identify how they have impacted you into adulthood. While exploring this impact, we will draw on evidence based practices for trauma healing such as EMDR, CBT, and somatic techniques. Through this process, you will identify your own unique values and preferences in adulthood. Along with identifying current values, you will identify new rituals and traditions that are in alignment with your current needs. For some these new traditions include daily dance parties, and perhaps new rituals may include exploring fashion as a method of daily self-expression. While working towards building intentional self-love practices, self-care and radical rest are essential. As a mother myself, I understand just how difficult it can be to find the time for self-care. However, the impact of self-care and rest is powerful. Even in small intentional increments, like 2 minute breaks.
Self-love is an intentional practice.
For some this may look like committing to taking a 10 minute walk each day, or purchasing themselves quick and easy nutrient rich foods. Then for others it can be taking 10 deep breaths before they leave the bathroom each time. For me, it is committing to a daily somatic movement practice. Together we can figure out exactly what this would look like for you, in small but meaningful ways. Your adulthood does not have to be defined by the traumas of your childhood. Living a life that is in alignment with your current values, and engaging in radical self-love and acceptance can help you thrive!
Start Counseling in Scotch Plains, NJ or Online
It’s hard to reach out for therapy for yourself or a loved one. If you are interested in learning more about my therapeutic approach, and what affirming therapy may look like for you or your child, call me to schedule a free phone consultation.
I am proud to be located in Scotch Plains, NJ, serving Fanwood, Westfield, Cranford and surrounding areas. Online therapy services are offered for the state of New Jersey.
Treatment Modalities and Specializations: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Individuals with Disabilities.
NJ# 44SC05827200